The Wild Tiger Health Project Timeline

The Wild Tiger Health Project website was created and developed by renowned zoo and wildlife vet, Dr John Lewis.

The conservation, health and welfare of wild tigers had been a major focus in John’s career for many years. Through his regular travels to tiger range states he built strong relationships with strategic partners, local vets, biologists and practitioners and was often asked if he would write a book to record his knowledge, experience and expertise. His simple answer was always: ‘It would be out of date by the time I finished it!’

Over the years, with little time between his work for the International Zoo Veterinary Group and Wildlife Vets International (his first charity), John began to put together the framework, a disease risk analysis and the initial text for the website.

Following John’s death, the Trustees pursued his aim of achieving charitable status for the website. We are so grateful to all those who contribute, donate and support.

Recently, we have invited input from a range of practitioners working and studying in roles relating to wild tiger health to become associates of the website. Their contribution is hugely important and valuable, as they are able to identify the prevalent needs and concerns of those working in the field. From this information, we are able to target our content and provide education, resources and support where it is most needed.

Alongside this, Joe (one of our Trustees) gives us strategic guidance on wider conservation issues across the range states, and Jane, our Veterinary Director, has a large network of professional resources and is fantastic at ensuring the website’s technical information is as accurate and precise as it can be.

Now, we continue to expand the content of the website, our growing number of associates, and the impact we can have as a resource for vets, biologists and practitioners working in the field.

We are so grateful to have received, to date, annual donations from our friends at ZSH — specifically Hertfordshire Zoo and the Big Cat Sanctuary. This money has ensured that our essential administrative costs, such as insurance and maintaining and updating the website, can be met. So every penny of any other donation we receive can be directed to supporting wild tiger health across the world.